Has Kate met her match? How the Duchess and Letizia married into royal dynasties before blossoming into fashion queens - but who does it better?

With their glossy dark hair, dazzling smiles and pencil-slim figures, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Letizia, the Queen of Spain, could be sisters. Both are mothers of two. Both were commoners before marrying royalty (Letizia, 44, used to be a TV journalist). And when it comes to fashion, both mix high-end, home-grown designers (McQueen versus Juanjo Oliva) with high street (Reiss versus Mango and Zara).

So as Letizia and her husband Filipe VI, King of Spain, prepare for their state visit to Britain later this month, how will Kate meet the challenge of facing one of the most glamorous royals in the world?

Left, the Duchess of Cambridge arrive for the annual evening reception for members of the Diplomatic Corps at Buckingham Palace and right Queen Letizia at the Private birthday party of King Willem-Alexander

Here Liz Jones reveals why it will be a close-run thing between these favourites in the style stakes…

Flower Power

Similar in style, but Kate’s summer Jenny Packham frock is much more fluid. Letizia, in Hugo Boss, is very prim and very fitted, which makes her less approachable; she’s worn this dress many times, so like Kate is frugal.

Left, Duchess of Cambridge attends a polo match in Santa Barbara, California and right, Queen Letizia in Madrid at the Annual Meeting of the Board of the Student Residence

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Coats of Arms

Left, Duchess of Cambridge leaves after a service of thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday at St Paul's cathedral, and right, the queen at Princess Sofia's First Holy Communion

Winner: Kate

Chic and sheer

I do like Letizia’s Felipe Varela sheer skirt with a severe Hugo Boss jacket, but this is just an inch too short, and it needs a pop of colour. Kate, in McQueen, looks fantastic: the hair, the waist, the dark clutch.

Left, Kate at the Rolls Royce Factory during her tour of Singapore,South-East Asia and right, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia visit the Prado Museum

Winner: Kate

Silver lining

Letizia wears a Nina Ricci mullet dress (shorter at the front, longer at the back), with buttons on the shoulder, and really high shoes – no doubt helpful for when the 5ft 7in queen is standing next to her 6ft 5in king. Kate’s Catherine Walker dress is much more evening, and I love the sheer bodice and sleeves.

Left, Kate at a dinner hosted by Her Majesty's Ambassador to France, Edward Llewellyn, at the British Embassy in Paris and right, Letizia attends 60th anniversary of Europa Press Agency

Winner: Kate

A notch above...

Both women are slim enough to carry off a peplum, but Kate’s Catherine Walker suit is a little creased and 1960s, while Letizia’s Carolina Herrera number is more modern.

Left, Duchess of Cambridge pays a visit on His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and right, Queen Letizia attends meeting at AECID, Madrid

Winner: Letizia

Fantastic forties

Kate’s 1940s-inspired McQueen is relaxed and easy to wear, with balloon sleeves and very fashion-forward midi length. Letizia’s Carolina Herrera dress is a little boxy, and a crucial 2in too short.

Left, Kate at a reception for Team GB and ParalympicsGB medallists from the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and right, Leitizia visits the headquarters of the Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands

Winner: Kate

Chanel hopping

Letizia’s tennis dress is very Chanel, just the right length, and I love the off-the-shoulder style. Kate (in Jaeger) is more formal and, frankly, a bit boring.

Letizia’s tennis dress, right, is very Chanel, but Kate, right, (in Jaeger) is more formal and, frankly, a bit boring.

Winner: Letizia

When it comes to hair, it's a tie!

Both women make clever use of the side bun, favouring a low-slung option.

Left, Letizia attends 30th anniversary of the Expansion Newspaper, Madrid and right, Kate at Service of Commemoration to Mark the End of Combat Operations in Afghanistan